Chapel Hill The Prophet McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016

Professor Tom Nelson established his vineyards in 1973, around a dilapidated stone chapel he subsequently renovated. Visitors to the cellar soon dwarfed the number of former worshippers. By 1994 there was a need to build a new 80,000 case winery. Successful? Doesn’t come close – Chapel Hill is an Aussie phenomenon. In charge today, on behalf of the winery’s new Swiss owners, is Michael Fragos, a fervent believer in the quality of the McLaren Vale and twice crowned McLaren Vale ‘Bushing King’ for his winemaking skills. The Prophet Shiraz displays decadent aromas of blueberries and exotic spice with aniseed and plum flavours and firm tannins. Michael loves a glass with roast pork. It’s a big wine so let it breathe a while or keep a few years.